Carole Horowitz: Indian dance troupe coming to Ames

Saturday

As a Sunday New York Times subscriber, I was intrigued by the photo on the front page of the March 18 Arts and Leisure section.

As a Sunday New York Times subscriber, I was intrigued by the photo on the front page of the March 18 Arts and Leisure section.

Depicted were two exotic Indian dancers of the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, in Karnakata, India.

In the accompanying article, Alistair Macaulay wrote that the company relies on foreign travel to keep its home village “afloat.”

I noted, with interest, that the dancers would be making stops in Louisiana, Mexico and Iowa.

Yes, I was to discover that the India Cultural Association of Central Iowa (ICA), based in Ames, will host the renowned dance ensemble at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in the Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Ave.

Joining the Indian troupe will be the Chitrasena Dance Company, from Sri Lanka.

The event, “Samhara,” is a new collaboration for the two groups.

According to Macaulay, “The production is a remarkably subtle dialogue between two styles … The Chitrasena company, like the Nrityagram one, is internationally celebrated.”

The opportunity for Ames to enjoy this excitingly unique experience came through the efforts of the ICA.

The Indian dancers performed in Ames in April 2009.

Krishna Athreya, the event’s publicist, told me, “We have been in regular contact with them since that time, planning for a return engagement.”

In May 2011, after a year of focused preparation, the ICA applied to the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Challenge America Fast-Track” program.

The prestigious grant is awarded to projects from primarily small and mid-sized arts organizations that extend the reach of the arts to underserved audiences.

The Ames organization was selected to receive $10,000 for its project.

In accepting the grant, ICA President Priti Nambisan said, “This award recognizes ICA’s role in bringing the Midwest high-caliber cultural programs from the Indian subcontinent.”

As part of the dance company’s educational mission, an introductory dance workshop will be held from 1 to 1:50 p.m. Friday, April 6, in the Forker Building on the Iowa State University campus.

Both events are open to the public. There will be a charge for the concert.

For tickets or more information about the dance concert, call (515) 441-0330.

• • •

Researching and accruing the art of Christian Petersen has been a major focus for Iowa State University Museums.

Petersen, the first artist-in-residence in America, served in that capacity at ISU from 1934 until 1955.

In the late 1980s, the search for two life-sized bronze panthers, believed to be Petersen’s first large sculptures, began. The hunt extended beyond Iowa, since the artist spent his early career on the east coast, mainly in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Amid myriads of contacts, letters, trips to the east, a relentless investigation transpired.

After many disappointing dead ends, the panthers were located on the campus of Vermont’s Middlbury College. They were a gift given to the institution to honor its mascot, the panther.

Excitement ensued. Petersen’s Panthers were found!

Through the generosity of private giving, the panthers will be making their way to the ISU campus, their rightful home.

Before that actually happens they will be undergoing a facelift. The panthers are being cleaned and the original patina is being restored. They will be less green and returned to their original bronze patina.

Lynette Pohlman, the museums’ director, has seen the conserved sculptures. Her pride was showing when she said, “The panthers look fabulous!”

On Saturday, April 21, following the Veishea 2012 Parade, the Petersen Panthers will be installed and dedicated in the Anderson Sculpture Garden, on central campus.

Join in the festivities and celebrate another coup for Lynette and the University Museums.

• • •

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival recognized ISU Theatre’s production “Six Characters” as the top college/university play in the nation for 2011.

The production received seven of the organization’s highest recommendations. Among these were “Outstanding Production of a Play,” “Outstanding Director of a Play,” awarded to Matt Foss, ISU Theatre lecturer, and “Outstanding Lighting Designer,” awarded to Matt Meldrem, a senior in performing arts.

Established in 1969, the theater festival program involves 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide.

Excellence in theater is recognized through state, regional and national events.

The two Matts will represent ISU at the national festival later this month.

Congratulations to ISU Theatre!

• • •

And don’t miss …

• The performance of Grainne Hambly and her Scottish partner, William Jackson, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Unitarian Fellowship, in Ames. Described as “world-class performers,” the musicians will play the harp, concertina and bouzouki. Tickets can be purchased at Reiman Music, in downtown Ames.

• The Salisbury House History Series lecture by Philip Freeman. The author of “Alexander the Great” will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15. For more information, call (515) 274-1777.

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